Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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557. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost of providing an additional 331 domestic abuse refuge spaces to meet Ireland’s obligations under the Istanbul Convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24541/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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One of the overarching goals of the Zero Tolerance Strategy to address Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence is to ensure that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one, and I am committed to working with my Government colleagues and those working in the sector to achieve this.

In line with the priority which this government is attaching to tackling domestic, sexual and gender based violence, we will double the number of refuge spaces over the lifetime of the strategy, bringing it to over 280.

The Tusla review of accommodation services for victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence identified priority locations where between 50 and 60 new refuge places are needed.

Further analysis undertaken identified 12 locations nationwide where the delivery of 98 family refuge spaces would have the most impact if prioritised.

In the initial phase of this work, we expect to have delivered 28 places in Wexford, Dundalk and Navan by end 2024.

In addition, by putting in place the correct structures to deliver additional refuge accommodation, including the development of a new statutory agency, we will accelerate the number of additional spaces that can be opened each year.

I am determined that the implementation of the Strategy will bring us significantly closer to reaching our Istanbul target and to ensuring that organisations providing these vital services to victims are supported in doing so.

Reflecting the Government’s commitment to make this the most ambitious Strategy to date, and in particular to make a real impact on the provision of refuge units and other associated support services, will require additional expenditure.

The overall cost of implementing the entire Strategy is estimated to be in the region of €363m.

Operational costs for refuges are estimated at €100k per unit annually, according to the 2022 Tusla review.

The capital development cost of a refuge, which would be a one-off initial cost, depends on a number of factors including construction costs, specific site costs, timing of the construction, and so on.